Brushes with the Law

Stealing Hay.—On Tuesday, William Lee and William Ivens were brought in custody of P.C. Burford, before the Revds. A. B. Lechmere and G. H. Clifton, charged with stealing quantity of hay, the property of Mr. C. Ireland, at the parish of Eldefield, on the 4th Inst. Committed for one month each to hard labour.

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Bedfordshire Mercury, September 21st, 1861

BRACKLEY: Finding a Purse and Refusing to Give it up. — At the last county court, an action was brought byWilliam Ivens, cattle dealer, to recover 7s from Jesse Gutteridge, a farmer. It seemed that the plaintiff lost his purse, which contained 6s, in May last, and having heard that the defendant’s son had found one, the plaintiff’s mother went to the house, and after describing the purse and its contents, asked if she might be allowed to see it, which was refused, unless half the contents were given to the defendant. This, the plaintiff’s mother could not agree to, and the present action was brought. Judgement was given to the Plaintiff, and the learned judge remarked that the defendant had not done properly in refusing to show the Plaintiff the purse when asked to do so.

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Coventry Standard, January 8th, 1869

LEAMINGTON:- A Clever Capture. —At the Petty Sessions, on Wednesday, William Ivens, a labourer, was charged with stealing four fowls, the property of his master, Mr. Norman, farmer, of Ashow. The defendant was seen one evening carrying a basket along the street by Detective Sergeant Brown. He was suspected and followed for some time by Brown, who ultimately caught him selling the fowls in a shop. Brown called upon him to account for the same, when he admitted stealing them. The bench sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment, and spoke in high terms of the activity and ability displayed by Brown in bringing the offender to justice.

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Northampton Mercury July 31st, 1880

MIDDLETON CHENEY:- William Ivens, Moreton Pinkney, was charged with being drunk whilst being in charge of a horse and cart, July 15th. £1 and 13s. 6d. costs.

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Northampton Mercury September 5th, 1924

William George Ivens, farmer, Badby, was summoned for not producing his driving licence at Byfield on August 15. P.C. Collier said that there was an accident at Byfield Cross Roads at 12.15 p.m. on August 15, and he saw defendant, who said he was the driver of the car. Defendant could not produce his licence – Defendant said he was so flustered by the accident that he could not find the licence, which was in his pocket all the time. He was ordered to pay 4s costs.

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Banbury Advertiser, September 15th, 1931

BULL NOT PROPERLY SECURED:- William Ivens. farmer, Badby, was charged with having caused a bull exceeding the age of 12 months to be driven down Bridge Street without being properly secured and kept under proper control on August 25th.—Sir. H. Barfield represented the defendant and on his behalf, admitted the offence. P.C. Gascoigne stated that on the day in question about 11:00 am, whilst on duty in Bridge Street he saw defendant accompanied by a man named Griffin, driving a herd of cattle towards the market. Among the herd was a bull with a rope tied around both horns and part of the rope was dragging on the ground. Defendant said the age of the bull was 16 months. He further said he had seen plenty of bulls loose in Banbury and policemen helping to catch them. When told that he would be reported, defendant replied “You must be looking for a job”. Mr, Barfield replied that the bull was loose only three minutes, and defendant had given every assistance to the police. A fine of 5/- was imposed.

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Leicester Daily Mail June 2nd, 1939

POULTRY STEALING CHARGE:- “What can I say. You caught me in the act.” This was statement alleged to have been made PercyWilliam Ivens(45), of Harborough Magna, who was charged at Rugby to-day with stealing two hens from John Ridley Barnwell, of Harborough Fields Farm. Police Sergeant Rush said that at 5:20 this morning he saw Ivens in the act of killing a hen with another one dead in a sack. When charged he made the statement quoted. Ivens was remanded on bail on his own surety of £20 and another of the same amount.

Leicester Daily Mercury June 6th, 1939

MAN FIVE YEARS MARRIED; PARENTS NOT TOLD

WHEN Percy William Ivens (45), described as a saw-mill labourer, of Harborough Parva, Rugby, was charged at Rugby to-day with fowl stealing, it was revealed that unknown to his parents he had been married for five years , and had two children. Ivens had been working for his father’s firm, and receiving a small wage, his parents naturally thinking that all he required was pocket money and nothing more. Unfortunately ha had to keep a home for his wife and children, and he had been taking the fowls for food, as his wage was insufficient to keep them. The Rev. Noel Prentice said since the war Ivens had led a solitary, secret and reserved life. Ivens was fined £5 and ordered to pay £1- 5s costs or 14 days imprisonment. The bench also ordered the restitution of the two fowls now in the custody of the police.

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Northampton Mercury, August 21st, 1953

STRAY CATTLE. BADBY FARMER, 82, FINED:- Eighty-two-years-old farmer. William George Ivens. of Manor House, Badby, was fined 7s 6d. at Daventry Divisional Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for allowing four beasts to stray in Banbury-road. Badby, on August 3rd. P.C. Hodgson said he saw the cattle on the road near two gaps in the field hedge. Ivens told the court “I don’t know what remedy there is for the people who come and pull the hedges down. Wire which I have put across the gap has also been cut”